Motion Sickness: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Motion sickness is a condition characterized by dizziness, nausea, and vomiting caused by conflicting signals between the body's sensory systems, particularly the inner ear, eyes, and sensory nerves, when exposed to repeated motion such as car travel, boats, or airplanes.

The causes of motion sickness include genetics, anxiety, and the individual's overall sensitivity to motion. If left untreated, motion sickness can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and headaches. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies like ginger, peppermint, and lavender can be consumed in the form of teas, capsules, or essential oils.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for pregnant women, children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, as some herbs may interact with medications or exacerbate health issues.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of motion sickness, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of motion sickness?

The main causes of motion sickness are related to the mismatch between what the body perceives through sensory inputs and what the brain interprets as the body's position and movement.

This discrepancy is often caused by conflicting signals from the sensory systems, including the visual, vestibular (balance), and proprioceptive (position) systems. Factors such as poor visibility, irregular motion, and conflicting sensory inputs from the body's sensory systems, particularly in situations involving cars, boats, airplanes, or other vehicles, can trigger motion sickness. Additionally, genetic predisposition, anxiety, and a history of motion sickness can also increase susceptibility to motion sickness.

Research suggests that the most common cause of motion sickness is the conflicting signals sent to the brain by the vestibular system, which can lead to a buildup of conflicting sensory information and trigger the symptoms of motion sickness.

• Visual Conflict: Visual conflict, the conflicting signals between what the body feels and what the eyes see, is the most common cause of motion sickness because it confuses the brain, leading to disorientation and nausea.
• Inner Ear: The inner ear, responsible for balance and equilibrium, is a common cause of motion sickness because the sensory information from the inner ear and the eyes can become mismatched, causing the body to become disoriented.
• Head Movement: Head movement, especially when looking at a fixed point, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can cause the body to become disoriented and the inner ear to become confused.
• Seating Position: Seating position, especially when seated in the front of a vehicle, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can cause the body to become disoriented and the inner ear to become confused.
• Motion Type: The type of motion, especially rapid or unpredictable motion, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can cause the body to become disoriented and the inner ear to become confused.
• Sensory Deprivation: Sensory deprivation, especially in a confined space, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can cause the body to become disoriented and the inner ear to become confused.
• Age: Age, especially in children, is a common cause of motion sickness because their inner ear and brain are still developing, making them more susceptible to motion sickness.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, is a common cause of motion sickness because hormonal changes can affect the inner ear and brain, making women more susceptible to motion sickness.
• Fatigue: Fatigue, especially after a long period of wakefulness, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can affect the inner ear and brain, making individuals more susceptible to motion sickness.
• Genetics: Genetics, especially a family history of motion sickness, is a common cause of motion sickness because it can affect the inner ear and brain, making individuals more susceptible to motion sickness.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for motion sickness?

The main medicinal herbs used for motion sickness are Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Passiflora incarnata, Piper nigrum, Avena sativa, Cinchona officinalis, Centella asiatica, Valeriana officinalis, Piper methysticum, Foeniculum vulgare.

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. Ginkgo biloba and Passiflora incarnata have been found to have anxiolytic and sedative effects, which may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in individuals experiencing motion sickness. Avena sativa, Cinchona officinalis, and Centella asiatica have been traditionally used to alleviate nausea and improve digestion, while Piper nigrum has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation associated with motion sickness.

Valeriana officinalis, Piper methysticum, and Foeniculum vulgare have been used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, which may help alleviate symptoms of motion sickness.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, contains compounds such as gingerols and shogaols that have anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness by inhibiting the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the inner ear's vestibular system.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba has flavonoids and terpenoids that may help alleviate motion sickness by improving blood flow and reducing the effects of vestibular stimulation on the inner ear.
• Passiflora incarnata: Passiflora incarnata, also known as passionflower, contains flavonoids and alkaloids that have anxiolytic and sedative properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, thus reducing nausea and vomiting.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, commonly known as black pepper, contains piperine that has been shown to inhibit the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the inner ear's vestibular system, thereby reducing the symptoms of motion sickness.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa, also known as oat straw, contains avenanthramides that have anxiolytic and sedative properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, thus reducing nausea and vomiting.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, commonly known as cinchona, contains quinine that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, contains triterpenoid saponins that may help alleviate motion sickness by improving cognitive function, reducing anxiety, and promoting relaxation.
• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis, commonly known as valerian root, contains valepotriates and valerenic acid that have sedative and anxiolytic properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
• Piper methysticum: Piper methysticum, also known as kava, contains kavalactones that have anxiolytic and sedative properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, thus reducing nausea and vomiting.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, commonly known as fennel, contains anethole that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which may help alleviate motion sickness by reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

What are the main herbal preparations used for motion sickness?

The main herbal preparations used for motion sickness are Peppermint Oil Capsules, Ginger Tincture, Decoction, Dried Ginger Lozenges, Cream, Suppository, Gummies, Gel, Salve, Ointment.

Peppermint oil capsules, containing menthol and menthone, ease nausea and vomiting by reducing stomach contractions and increasing saliva production. Ginger preparations, including tincture, decoction, lozenges, cream, suppository, gummies, gel, salve, and ointment, contain gingerol and shogaol, which have anti-inflammatory and antiemetic properties, reducing nausea and vomiting by inhibiting serotonin receptors and blocking the release of stomach acid. The active compounds in ginger, such as gingerol and shogaol, are more readily absorbed through the skin, mucous membranes, and rectal walls, providing faster relief compared to oral preparations.

Studies have shown that ginger preparations can be as effective as conventional antihistamines in alleviating motion sickness symptoms.

• Peppermint Oil Capsules: Peppermint oil capsules, containing essential oils extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, help alleviate motion sickness symptoms by stimulating digestive enzymes and improving blood flow to the stomach, which in turn reduces nausea and vomiting.
• Ginger Tincture: Ginger tincture, made from the roots of Zingiber officinale, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by reducing inflammation and soothing the stomach, which in turn alleviates nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger root decoction, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by releasing gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Dried Ginger Lozenges: Dried ginger lozenges, made from the dried roots of Zingiber officinale, help alleviate motion sickness symptoms by releasing gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Cream: A topical cream made from essential oils extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, or peppermint oil cream, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by providing a localized cooling effect on the skin, which in turn reduces nausea and vomiting.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the roots of Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger suppository, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by releasing gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Gummies: Gummies made from the roots of Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger gummies, help alleviate motion sickness symptoms by releasing gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Gel: A topical gel made from essential oils extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, or peppermint oil gel, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by providing a localized cooling effect on the skin, which in turn reduces nausea and vomiting.
• Salve: A topical salve made from essential oils extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, or peppermint oil salve, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by providing a localized cooling effect on the skin, which in turn reduces nausea and vomiting.
• Ointment: A topical ointment made from essential oils extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, or peppermint oil ointment, helps alleviate motion sickness symptoms by providing a localized cooling effect on the skin, which in turn reduces nausea and vomiting.